King James Version

What Does Nahum 1:6 Mean?

Nahum 1:6 in the King James Version says “Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. abide: Heb. stand up”

Nahum 1:6 · KJV

Context

4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

5

The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

6

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. abide: Heb. stand up

7

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. strong hold: or, strength

8

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Two rhetorical questions escalate the terror of divine judgment: 'Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?' The Hebrew charah (burning anger) depicts fury like fire, while za'am (indignation) suggests righteous wrath against moral evil. The implied answer is: no one. When God rises in judgment, no human power can resist or endure. The imagery intensifies: 'his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him' (chamato nittekah ka'esh vehatzurim nittzu mimmennu). God's wrath isn't abstract disapproval but active, consuming judgment pictured as volcanic fire melting rocks. If solid rock—symbol of permanence and strength—dissolves before God's fury, how can Nineveh's walls and armies stand? This verse demolishes false security. Nineveh trusted in military might, fortified walls, and strategic location. Yet none of these offer protection when the Judge of all the earth acts. The only safety is found not in resisting God but in taking refuge in Him (verse 7). Those who oppose God will be consumed; those who trust Him will be protected.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian military power was legendary. Their armies had conquered from Egypt to Persia, from Anatolia to the Persian Gulf. Nineveh's walls were reportedly 50 feet thick and 100 feet high, supposedly wide enough for three chariots to ride abreast. The city seemed impregnable. Yet Nahum prophesies its utter destruction, and historical records confirm the prophecy. In 612 BC, Babylon and Media besieged Nineveh. According to ancient historians, flooding weakened the walls, enabling conquest. The city was burned and destroyed so completely that it became a byword for divine judgment. Archaeological excavations reveal massive destruction layers confirming the city's violent end. This historical fulfillment proves that no earthly power can resist God's decreed judgment, no matter how strong it appears.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false securities—wealth, power, relationships, abilities—do people today trust instead of God?
  2. How does the certainty and severity of divine judgment against wickedness affect your evangelistic urgency?
  3. In what ways does Christ's bearing of God's wrath on the cross demonstrate both the reality of divine fury and the provision of divine mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לִפְנֵ֤י1 of 14

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

זַעְמוֹ֙2 of 14

“his indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

מִ֣י3 of 14
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יַֽעֲמ֔וֹד4 of 14

“Who can stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

וּמִ֥י5 of 14
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יָק֖וּם6 of 14

“and who can abide”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

בַּחֲר֣וֹן7 of 14

“in the fierceness”

H2740

a burning of anger

אַפּ֑וֹ8 of 14

“of his anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

חֲמָתוֹ֙9 of 14

“his fury”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

נִתְּכָ֣ה10 of 14

“is poured out”

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

כָאֵ֔שׁ11 of 14

“like fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְהַצֻּרִ֖ים12 of 14

“and the rocks”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

נִתְּצ֥וּ13 of 14

“are thrown down”

H5422

to tear down

מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃14 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nahum. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nahum 1:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nahum 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 10:10Malachi 3:2Deuteronomy 32:22-23Psalms 76:7Nahum 1:2Isaiah 27:4

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